Florida houses the densest concentration of artesian springs in the world. However, many springs are imperilled by pollution, development, and groundwater extraction. Archaeologists have long recognized the importance of springs in the past, but typically focus solely on their ecological capacities. Meanwhile, contemporary conservation narratives rely on a trope of timeless, pristine springs that likewise downplays their historical significance. This book draws on recent archaeological research at a number of springs to examine their long-term significance and the relevance of archaeological k ... More

Florida houses the densest concentration of artesian springs in the world. However, many springs are imperilled by pollution, development, and groundwater extraction. Archaeologists have long recognized the importance of springs in the past, but typically focus solely on their ecological capacities. Meanwhile, contemporary conservation narratives rely on a trope of timeless, pristine springs that likewise downplays their historical significance. This book draws on recent archaeological research at a number of springs to examine their long-term significance and the relevance of archaeological knowledge to modern conservation efforts. Inspired by phenomenological philosophy, historical ecology, and entanglement theory, it develops an approach that foregrounds springs as places of social interaction with deep historical import. The results of archaeological fieldwork, GIS-based spatial analyses, paleohydrological reconstructions, and lithic provenance and technological studies are presented. This work demonstrates the scale of human interaction with springs and decouples their significance from ecological productivity. Throughout their history, springs have been gathering places that brought together far-flung peoples. Many springs became sanctified in this context, as a result of their unique aesthetic qualities and the indelible marks left by past gatherings. The book further deconstructs the notion of “pristine spring” as a conservation goal and argues that, rather than looking back, conservation must target desirable future states. Springs continue to be social gathering places today. Conservation efforts should encourage this sociality while promoting personal experience of springs and greater historical consciousness. This will foster a sense of reverence for springs that bolsters public sentiment and political will for conservation.